If you're wanting to grow cannabis in Massachusetts and the northeast region, you need to pick the right strain for the climate. Here are our recommendations for 10 fool-proof outdoor strains that thrive across Massachusetts. Hardy and resilient to temperature fluctuations, they cope with the variable night-time conditions and blossom in Massachusetts’ warm summers.
Weed Strains for the climate in Massachusetts
Massachusetts joined the wave of fellow states in allowing residents to grow at home in 2016. Since then, there’s been a boom in popularity with home-grown cannabis plants. Yet, with a humid subtropical climate that’s prone to downpours and extremes (particularly in winter), you can’t yield the same successes as famed Californian strains when growing outdoors. Instead, more versatile and robust varieties are recommended to thrive in Massachusetts’ humid environments and cope with muggy conditions. Seasonal planting for summer is essential to make the most out of these strains and avoid any early winter frostbite.
Luckily, many strains that harvest in September grow exceptionally well in MA, from legendary classics like Northern Lights to modern masterpieces like Gorilla Glue. You’ll even discover robust strains that can be sustained all year round. If you want to experiment with more tropical strains, move things indoors or into tents and greenhouses for added protection and control. Here's our breakdown of the top choices for Massachusettsans.
Top 10 Best strains to grow in Massachusetts
- Gorilla Glue
- OG Kush
- Cheese
- Blue Dream
- Sour Diesel
- Amnesia Haze
- Purple Haze
- Northern Lights
- AK-47
- Super Silver Haze
1. Gorilla Glue
A veritable monster of a plant, Gorilla Glue boasts insane THC levels and thrives in many climates around the world. Its versatility and no-nonsense growth make it an ideal choice among Bay Staters.
Growing
Gorilla Glue is well suited for beginners, particularly if you opt for autoflower seeds. Perfectly adept at growing indoors and outdoors, the Massachusetts climate is absolutely fine. Gorilla Glue has a high mold resistance which copes well with increased humidity and rainy spells. So long as you plant for flowering in MA’s warm summers, you’ll yield excellent harvests of up to 550 grams per m². Some opt to start things indoors first or keep things potted on sun-drenched balconies.
Smell, taste and effect
Gorilla Glue is a full-bodied diesel fruit bomb with notes of pine and citrus. The effects are strong and long-lasting thanks to its impressive THC content. As a hybrid, you can expect a big euphoria with full-body relaxation that’s perfect for the end of the day.
2. OG Kush
OG Kush originated in Florida in the 1990s and boasts a rich, THC-laced profile that remains ever-popular. Its hybrid genetics with a big Indica lean makes it well suited for Massachusetts.
Growing
OG Kush thrives indoors and outdoors and is a favorite among novices and experienced growers alike. Quick to flower and easy to maintain, just watch out for bud rot and mildew in the humid Massachusetts climate. Many opt to control things indoors where temperatures can be restricted and light routines enforced.
Smell, taste and effect
OG Kush possesses a bold and pungent aroma of skunk, spice and diesel. This is followed by notes of lemon citrus and pine. It's renowned for its high THC content which promotes a mixed body and head effect. Perfect as stress relief, it strikes the perfect balance of relaxation and inspiration.
3. Cheese
Cheese is a Massachusetts classic with multiple awards under its belt. Renowned for its strong cheese profile, it’s one of the most versatile strains out there to grow.
Growing
Cheese is suitable for beginners and is a pleasure to grow and experiment with. Although favored indoors where you can control all elements, it grows bigger outdoors and in greenhouse conditions. Still, the pungent aroma requires plenty of space so as not to irritate any neighbors. It's bushy and grows exceptionally well in a pot where you can maintain its height and shape.
Smell, taste and effect
Cheese has a distinctive and sour aroma like a fine aged cheese with notes of fruit and tangy cheddar. The effects are both gentle and potent, offering a big Indica high that's relaxing and uplifting. It’s been highly praised for its use in treating depression, fatigue and inflammation disorders.
4. Blue Dream
Blue Dream is an exceptionally fruity hybrid strain that boasts balanced effects that veer more towards cerebral stimulation. Popular with hobbyists and enthusiasts, she's a legend of the West Coast that's also well suited to New England.
Growing
Blue Dream will grow indoors and outdoors, although you'll have to be cautious about humidity and light. Long stretches of warm, sunny summers will provide ample flowering time to produce luscious, resiny buds. Indoors, many opt to utilize SOG or SCROG training methods to boost their yields. The best quality Blue Dream requires fresh water and the right balance of nutrients.
Smell, taste and effect
Blue Dream lives up to its name with a mouth-watering blueberry flavor and fruity aroma. These sweet notes are balanced by a moreish earthiness with hints of grass and herbs. The effects are equally delightful, producing a noted cerebral high that's well balanced by relaxing Indica properties. It's an excellent treatment for symptoms of stress and anxiety.
5. Sour Diesel
Sour Diesel is a beloved Sativa-dominant strain that originates from Super Skunk. Its size and yield potential make it well suited to outdoor Massachusetts, where it thrives in long eastern summers.
Growing
Sour Diesel isn’t for the beginner, although autoflowering seeds make your job a lot easier. Instead, some knowledge of quality soil and nutrients is required to get the most out of your plant. While well-suited for growing both indoors and outdoors, you’ll need plenty of space to let Sour Diesel reach its potential heights of 300 cm. Just ensure it receives adequate light and isn’t stuck under shade or you’ll risk lowering the potency.
Smell, taste and effect
Sour Diesel is accurately named for its pungent diesel aroma that reflects its high THC levels. This musky, turpentine aroma is backed by fruity citrus notes and layers of spice. Sour Diesel is beloved for its long-lasting cerebral effects which come on strong and quick. It’s the perfect option to keep you on your toes or for bustling social gatherings.
6. Amnesia Haze
This classic, award-winning Sativa-dominant strain can trace its origins to South Asia. Despite these humid and tropical origins, Amnesia Haze suits a wide variety of landscapes, including the Northeastern United States.
Growing
Amnesia Haze can be grown indoors, outdoors and in greenhouses. It tends to favor long spells of dry and warm weather, so you have to protect it when planting in Massachusetts. It is fairly susceptible to pests, however, making it less advantageous for first-time growers (unless opting for autoflower seeds). Still, with the proper management, either outdoors or indoors, you can reap impressive XXL buds.
Smell, taste and effect
Amnesia Haze is world-renowned for its luscious, lemony flavor profile with notes of earth and pine. The effects are uplifting and long-lasting, creating an energetic buzz that is perfect for parties. It’s a go-to option for creatives and writers in search of their next great idea.
7. Purple Haze
Purple Haze is a psychedelic classic that's renowned for its potency and long-lasting energy. It's ideal for Massachusetts growers thanks to its resistance to both pests and colder conditions.
Growing
Purple Haze has hardy genetics that make it ideal for beginners. You can grow this indoors or outdoors depending on your setup, with hydroponic environments being particularly effective indoors. Its high resistance to mold, mildew and pests is a life-saver, offering consistent and potent yields in and around October. The biggest yields come outdoors too, so give it plenty of space in your backyard with ample sunlight for fine results.
Smell, taste and effect
Purple Haze boasts typical Sativa notes of citrus and pine, with a berry-like sweetness topped by layers of spice. The effects are renowned as euphoric and blissful, with a big, energizing high that will set you up for the day. It can be a great energy boost for those suffering from fatigue or chronic pain.
8. Northern Lights
This age-old classic is just as potent today as it was in the 1980s. It emerged during a golden age of Dutch cannabis production and is well suited to Massachusetts thanks to its hardy structure and resilience to diseases.
Growing
Northern Lights can be considered an easy-grow strain thanks to its forgiving and resistant genetics. What’s more, it can handle some variation in temperature which is particularly useful during the Massachusetts nighttime. It’s also relatively compact for ease of maintenance, responding exceptionally well to training and cultivation methods indoors. Just be sure to provide it with ample light and nutrients for a more potent end product.
Smell, taste and effect
Northern Lights boasts all the hallmarks of its Afghani and Thai genetics. An earthy, skunky aroma gives way to loads of lemon and citrus flavors. As for the effects, Northern Lights is beloved for its full-body relaxation, easing the mind and soothing the muscles. This euphoria can be quite long-lasting and is excellent in treating insomnia and stress.
9. AK-47
AK-47 is a hardy, Sativa-dominant strain that's renowned for its concentrating effects. It’s among the most popular worldwide varieties because it’s so simple to maintain – even in outdoor Massachusetts.
Growing
AK-47 is beloved for its ease of growth. Stable and resistant, it's a strong and pungent plant that favors long spells of sunshine and warmth. You can cultivate AK-47 both indoors or outdoors, where it thrives on good nutrients and soil. Indoor growers have seen great results utilizing hydroponic setups, where it produces super-strong buds. For a quicker grow, opt for autoflowering feminized seeds.
Smell, taste and effect
AK-47 has a wonderfully sour, earthy and sweet aroma with floral notes. This skunkiness gives way to excellent cerebral effects, delivering a strong and steady buzz that will pick you up. It’s a favorite among social gatherings precisely for its talkative and uplifting effects.
10. Super Silver Haze
Super Silver Haze is among the most popular strains in America, ably adapting to a range of setups. It does exceptionally well in Massachusetts' warm and humid summers. No wonder it’s won so many awards.
Growing
Super Silver Haze is a dream to grow and a great option for beginners. She boasts a very high resistance to mold and mildew, making her particularly fine for MA growth. Provided you're following a weather schedule, she'll thrive throughout summer for a bountiful harvest. Just try to avoid early, wet autumns. Alternatively, Super Silver Haze does very well indoors where you can utilize hydroponics for ultimate control.
Smell, taste and effect
Super Silver Haze has a very fragrant aroma of pine, sandalwood and cedar, like a good quality incense. This is balanced with layers of fruit and citrus for a pleasant taste. As for the effects, Super Silver Haze is renowned for its long-lasting and energetic high. Perfect for those treating appetite loss or fatigue, it'll produce motivating and inspiring effects that can help you concentrate throughout the day.
Buy the best strain seeds to grow in Massachusetts
Have any of these options aroused your curiosity? Buy weed seeds online of the highest quality at Weedseedsexpress and get growing in Massachusetts today. While the colder climate of the northeast may limit your outdoor potential, it won’t stop you from producing top-quality cannabis. Choose our seeds for guaranteed germination and a secure delivery promise from the seed bank to your door. Pick from easy-grow autoflower varieties or keep things traditional with photoperiod seeds.